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Who still remembers Grandpa's Opel? Manta SR in the test

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Created on April 1, 1971

Text:

Paul Frère

Photos:

GM Corporation

2

General Motors / Opel

2

Archiv

12

GM Corporation

2

General Motors / Opel

2

Archiv

12

Opel Manta SR (1972) - the sportiest way to drive a Manta - up to 90 hp, matt black trim, additional instruments, etc.

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Opel Manta (1973) - Thoroughbred from the best stable - Car advertising in 1973

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Opel Manta SR (1972) - the matt black hood was designed to reduce glare

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Opel Manta GT/E (1970) - faster and even sportier thanks to fuel injection

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Opel Manta (1970) - the elegant and practical coupé from Rüsselsheim

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Opel Manta (1970) - Space for four people

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Opel Manta (1970) - with design borrowings from Ferrari

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Opel Manta L (1971) - typical coupé stature

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Opel Manta (1970) - sporty handling

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Opel Manta (1970) - long hood, space for five people and their luggage

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Opel Manta (1971) - with the practical hinged rear windows

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Opel Manta L (1972) - Ferrari echoes at the rear

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Opel Manta Rallye (1972) - some design elements were reminiscent of Ferrari sports cars

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Opel Manta (1970) - Opel announced sporty elegance with the presentation of the new Manta

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Opel Manta Rallye (1972) - with the black hood

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Opel Manta (1970) - Coupé for five people - safe yet sporty and elegant

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Summary

With the Opel Manta, the Rüsselsheim-based manufacturer presented an independent coupé in response to the Ford Capri. And the newcomer convinced the critics, even Paul Frère was sure that nothing could stand in the way of success. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report in Auto Revue from 1971 and shows the pretty coupé in historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Image change
Models of a new generation
Almost ready for the Concours d'Elégance
Parts from the construction kit
On board the top model
Elastic and economical
Safe driving behavior
Sensibly equipped
Born to be a bestseller
Measured values

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Just a few years ago, an Opel would probably have been the last car to be adorned with rally stripes and all kinds of hot accessories. Today, "souped-up" Opels are part of the traffic image. The old image of the "car for the good family man" was changed in record time by cleverly labeling those models that really had something more to offer. With the (secret) help of the factory and some very capable tuning companies, these cars were also quite capable of achieving sporting feats. In today's car world, you no longer have to sheepishly "admit" to owning an Opel. With some models you even say it with a certain pride, which the connoisseur respects more and more.

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